Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-03-26

fed fathers of families with ample waist
coats and bald heads, callow youths in
their teens, and liberal sprinkling of
boys = all boiling over with maddening
avidity for the sport
The benches of the primitive theater
rise one above another, forming square,
within which-on the moist clay floor, in
closed by slight wooden barrier three
feet highs the fatal arena. In nook to
the right of calico curtain, all the deadly
equipments of the gladiators were laid out
such as the knives to be fastened to the
legs of the roosters, a fne-toothed saw for
cutting the gaffs, etc.
While the lists were being arranged and
the armorers busy lacing on the gives and
weapons of the combatants, and many an
ounce of precious metal was staked on the
chances of life and death, the pertinacious
gladiators kept growing with all their
might, and in glossiest feather strutted
saucily about the ring as far as their
hernpen carriers would permit.
1t is said that the Zapotlanians are pro-
verbal for their economy in most affairs of
life, never spending a madi0 outside the
cockpit if they can possibly avoid 1t /; but
once inside this charmed circle they are
the most prodigal of spendthrifts. The
betting ran high and brisk, and gold pieces
changed hands with dazzling rapidity. Our
American friends were particularly struck
by callow-faced youth, who had neither
shoes nor stockings-not so much as a
scrap of ox-hide to the sole of his foot. But
had every pimple ON his sallow face been a
ruby land his complexion was a -four
ishing nursery of pimples), he could
not have been more lavish with
his purse. However, matters soon came
to a crisis with the young Spectator.
Taking the bet of another equally
infatuated sportsman tthe latter dressed in
broadcloth and embroidered linen), he
staked a handful Of gold on a red and
yellow rooster of most seductive points
and irresistible spunk. 1t was evidently
all he had in the world There was pro-
digious huttering of cropped wings, a
shaking of scarlet crests, a cross-fire of
murderous glances, sudden spring, a
fierce tussle, fuss and feathers indescriba-
bic, q pool of blood-and the wealth of the
pimple-faced prodigal was gone forever
CRUEL, sENsELEss, IeNoBLE SPORT,
1t is fast going out of fashion among the
better classes. Time was, not long ago,
when the President and all his Cabinet,
daintiest danes of high degree and all the
wealth, beauty and elegance of Mexico
were to be seen at the cockpit. The
Countess Calderon de la Barca, wife of an
early Spanish Minister, writing from this
country number of years ago, describes
the annual fete of Pdscua (Whitsunday),
on which day the churches and gambling
houses are thrown open simultaneously,
and the greatest celebration was held
nine mics from the City of Mexi-
CO, now generally called Tlalpan. Says
she "Time in its revolutions, whirling all
things out of their places, has made no
change in the annual fete of San Agustin.
Fashions alter The graceful mantilla gives
place to the ungraceful bonnet. The old
painted coach, moving slowly like a cara
van, with Guido's Aurora painted on its
panels, is dismissed for the London-built
carriage. Old customs have passed away.
The ladies no longer sit on the door-sills
eating roast duck with their fingers. Even
the floating gardens have become station
airy and have occasionally joined the con-
tinent. But the annual fete of San
Agustin is built on more solid foundation
than taste or custom or floating SOIL s 3 .
g The country villas are filled with all that
is gayest and most distinguished in Mexico,
and every house and every room in the
village has been hired for months in adj
vance. Inc lauleS are III their InOSt tle-
giant toilets, and looking forward 10 de-
lightful whirl of dancing, cock-fghting,
dressing and driving out.
1.-THE high road leading from the Capital
to San Agustin is covered with vehicles
OF every description carriages, diligencias,
carts and carratelas. Those who are not
fortunate enough to possess any wheeled
come out on horses or mules
single, double or treble if necessary and
many hundreds, with visions of silver be-
fore their eyes and few pence hid under
their rags, trudge ont on foot. The Presi-
dent himself, in carriage and six, attended
by his Aides-de- Camp sanctions by his
presence the amusements of the fete. The
Mexican Generals and other officers follow
in his wake, and the gratifying spectacle
may not infrequently be seen of the Presi-
dent leaning from his box in the plaza de
gdlios. betting upon cock with a hatless,
bootless and probably worthless ragamuffin
in the pit We went to the gaiIos about 3
o'clock. The main plaza was crowded, and
THE LADIES IN THEIR BOXES
Looked like parterre of bright-hued flow
ers. But while the senoras in their boxes
did honor to the fete by their brilliant
toilets, the gentlemen promenaded round
IL l. ~ l., I.